MOF Debunks False Claims Of QR Payment Service Charges Starting 1 November

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) has refuted a widely circulated claim that a new service charge will be imposed on quick response (QR) code payments starting November 1, 2026. In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the ministry declared the assertion to be false and emphasized that no such charge has been officially announced.

The post aimed to counter a viral misinformation campaign that was spreading rapidly across social media platforms, particularly Facebook and Threads. The poster, which featured a "Vyra News" logo, had claimed that a service charge for QR code payments would begin on the specified date. Through its Facebook post, the MOF urged the public not to believe or share the misleading information.

Moreover, the ministry recommended Malaysians to verify any news through the official channels before disseminating it to prevent the spread of false information that could cause confusion among the public. Fact-checking is crucial in the current era where misinformation is prevalent, especially when it pertains to significant changes that could impact the public.

In this particular case, the dissemination of false information could instill unease among the populace, particularly due to the popularity of QR payments throughout the country. PayNet, the operator of the DuitNow QR network, affirms that QR payments for consumers are free of charge. This implies that there are no extra fees for customers making payments via QR code.

It is essential to note that the merchant discount rate (MDR), a charge that merchants have been facing for years, is a separate fee and is unrelated to the fabricated claim in the poster.